The House convened today to pass the Senate's amendment on House Bill 4504, completing the legislation. This bill would authorize the Division of Juvenile Services to provide a juvenile's records to agencies in other states that perform the same function and have legal custody of the juvenile.

Senate Bills 58 and 499 were amended and passed. Senate Bill 58 would provide basis for voidable marriages and annulments based upon being unaware of a one's spouse's prior felony convicitons. Senate Bill 499 would make the Prudent Investor Act the primary standard of care for the Investment Management Board. Due to the amendments, they will be communicated back to the Senate for their approval.

Senate Bill 460, permitting the School of Osteopathic Medicine to invest certain moneys in its foundation, had its second reading. There were 10 bills on first reading.

The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 42, memorializing life of Lance Corporal Adam Johnson Crumpler. He joined the marines after graduating Riverside High School in 2003 and was deployed to Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. While conducting combat operations against enemy forces, Crumpler was killed by small-arms fire in 2005 at 19 years old.

Senate Bill 344 and Senate Bill 345, both appropriations bills, were read a second time and advanced to third reading. House Bill 4384 was amended on second reading and advanced to third reading as well. The bill would require teachers of students with exceptional needs to be present at an individualized education program meeting or read and sign a copy of the education program plan.

There were nine House Bills read a first time and all were advanced to second reading.

The Senate is adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m.

Thursday, February 27, 2014 - 02:40 PM

Senate Passes Juvenile Records Bill

The Senate passed House Bill 2165, relating to death certificates of military veterans, and House Bill 4504, relating to the sharing of juvenile records in certain circumstances with another state. Both bills now move back to the House for approval.

There were two appropriation bills, Senate Bill 344 and Senate Bill 345, that were read for a first time in the Senate today. House Bill 4384 was also read a first time today. The legislation would require teachers with exceptional needs students to be present at an individualized education program planning meeting, or sign a copy of the education program plan verifying that they have read it and made changes if necessary.

The House of Delegates convened today to receive Senate bills and adopt House Resolution 12. This resolution memorializes the life of the Honorable James E. "Jimmy" Willison, who passed away Nov. 24, 2013. Willison was a veteran, lay minister and served in the West Virginia Legislature.

Senate Bill 58, relating to the basis for voidable marriages and annulments, and Senate Bill 499, making the Prudent Investor Act the primary standard of care for the Investment Management Board, were amended and had their second readings.

Upon its introduction into the House, Senate Bill 460 was immediately considered and had its first reading. This bill would add the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine to the list of state institutions of higher education that are permitted to invest certain finances with its foundation, with the amount limited to $25 million.

Citations were presented recognizing the life of Randy Stephens and Morgantown High School football player Jamie Charles "Chazzy" Thomas, Jr.

The following committees will meet today:

House Industry and Labor at 1 p.m. in 410M

House Political Subdivisions at 1 p.m. in 215E

House Roads and Transportation at 2 p.m. in 460M

House Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at 2 p.m. in 215E

Today in the Senate, the body adopted Senate Resolution 38 which recognized Nurses Unity Day. It was also crossover day at the Legislature. Crossover day signifies the last day that the Senate can deliberate bills from the Senate. For the remainder of the session the Senate will only consider House bills. There were 11 bills passed on third reading and now move to the House for further consideration.

One of the bills passed was Senate Bill 204, which expands crime victims compensation. Another bill that was amended and passed was Senate Bill 391 which would increase salaries for teachers and school service personnel. Senate Bill 539 also passed and would allow certain law-enforcement officers, that are employed as a school security guard, to carry a firearm that they are legally permitted to carry.

House Bill 4350 was passed in the Senate today and completed legislation. This bill would provide for the awarding of a West Virginia Veterans Medal and ribbon, and a West Virginia Service Cross and ribbon to qualifying West Virginia Veterans.

There were three constitutional amendment resolutions adopted that will be on the ballot in November if adopted in the House. Senate Joint Resolution 10, which relates to the Right to Hunt and Fish in West Virginia, Senate Joint Resolution 12, which is Claiming WV Water Resources for Use and Benefit of its Citizens, Senate Joint Resolution 14, which relates to the WV Future Fund, now move to the House for further consideration.

The House convened today for crossover day, making it the last day for the consideration of House bills. There were 52 bills passed.

House Bill 4333 was among the bills passed, which would reduce the annual amount transferred from the State Excess Lottery Fund to the West Virginia Infrastructure Fund from $40 million to $20 million for the next three years. House Bill 4375 also passed, which would create the West Virginia Voluntary Employee Retirement Accounts Program.

House Bill 2981 would provide that historical reenactors are not participating in unlawful military organizations. House Bill 4156 was amended and passed, which would authorize the electronic collection of tolls and enforcement of toll violations on parkways. House Bill 4221 passed as well, which would permit teachers under the State Teachers Retirement System to teach college level courses without losing benefits.

House Joint Resolution 108 was amended and adopted. This joint resolution would propose an amendment to be voted on at the 2014 election that would make property owned by certain nonprofit youth organizations used to generate revenue exempt from taxes.

Senate Bill 499, making the Prudent Investor Act the primary standard of care for the Investment Management Board, had its first reading.

The House convened today to pass four bills, including House Bill 4588. This bill would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks post-fertilization.

House Bill 4312 was among the four bills passed, which would create a certification for emergency medical technician-industrial. House Bill 4245 passed as well, which would require certain professional and occupational licensing boards to report their licensed practitioners anticipated retirement date by December 1, 2014. House Bill 4256 would increase the annual salary of the state police, beginning July 1, 2014.

House Bill 4001, relating to the Government Fraud Prevention Act, was rejected.

There were 58 bills on second reading. House Bill 2446 was among those, which would make it a crime to solicite a minor. House Bill 4168 would require materials, supplies, equipment and other items purchased by the state and its agencies to be made in the United States. House Bill 4316, which would create the Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability Act, was amended upon second reading.

House Bill 4504, which allows the sharing of juvenile records with other states under certain circumstances, was received from the House and read a first time. Senate Joint Resolution 14, which is a constitutional amendment regarding the West Virginia Future Fund, was amended on the floor and read a second time, then was advanced to third reading. Senate Bill 490, relating to non-covered insurance discounts for healthcare providers.

There were 23 bills that were passed on third reading today. A few of the bills are: Senate Bill 202, which creates the Benefit Corporation Act, Senate Bill 379, which reclassifies counties, Senate Bill 419, which creates Overdose Prevention Act and Senate Bill 455, which creates the Move to Improve Act.

Senate Bill 317, relating to municipal firearm laws, was moved to the foot of bills on second reading and will be taken up when the Senate reconvenes in the afternoon.

On second reading, Senate Bill 204, relating to crime victims compensation, was amended and advanced to third reading. Senate Bill 473, regarding undesirable highway property, was also amended on second reading.

The following committees will meet today:

Education will meet at 2 p.m. in room 451M

Government Organization will meet at 2 p.m. in room 208W

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in room 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Labor will meet at 9 a.m. in room 208W

The Senate will reconvene at 4 p.m.

-UPDATE-

The Senate reconvened this evening to ammend and pass Senate Bill 317, which will create a uniform regulation of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories throughout West Virginia.

The Senate also advanced Senate Bill 365 to third reading with the right to ammend, adopted four Senate Concurrent Resolutions, and read House Bill 2165 a first time.

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

The Committee on Children and Poverty will meet tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in room 208W.

Today in the Senate, the Tiger Music Orff Ensemble from New Haven Elementary School in Mason County performed "Firework" by Katy Perry and "Palm Valley Rondo" by Jim Solomon on the Senate floor using a variety of percussion instruments. They are a part of the Clay Center Community Arts program dedicated to providing music instruction and musical instruments to students who would otherwise not have access to such opportunities. They were led by Co-Directors Rachel Reynolds and Kimberly Bond.

In July, the Tiger Music Orff Ensemble has been chosen to represent the United States at the International Society of Music Educators (ISME) biannual conference in Brazil in July of 2014. The 25 member ensemble is made up of elementary school age students grades 3-6 and was chosen over hundreds of submissions from over 80 countries.

The House of Delegates convened today to pass 16 bills, including House Bill 4490. This would create the Attorney General Ethics and Accountability Act, which relates to conflicts of interest, reporting to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, the State General Revenue Fund, and contract approval by the Secretary of State.

House Bill 4393 was passed, which would create the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. This bill would control permits for owning wild animals legally. House Bill 4504 passed as well, which would allow sharing of juvenile records among states in certain circumstances.

There were four bills on second reading, including Senate Bill 603, relating to testing for the presence of methane in underground mines, and House Bill 4001, relating to the Government Fraud Prevention Act. There were 58 bills on first reading.

After a recess, House Bills 4286 and 4333 were received from committee and will be on second reading tomorrow. House Bill 4286 would create the Captive Cervid Farming Act. House Bill 4333 relates to the redirection of certain lottery revenues to the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund.

Today the Senate passed 21 bills on third reading that now move to the House for further consideration. Senate Bill 95 was passed after it was read a third time. The bill would make a DUI that causes serious bodily injury or death a felony offense.

One of the bills passed, Senate Bill 431, relates to the increase of the renewal cycle of driver's licenses and federal identification cards. Senate Bill 623, another bill that passed, would require mining company employers to notify the director if mine personnel test positive on a substance abuse screening and other circumstances regarding substance abuse screening.

On third reading Senate Bill 468, providing for Veterans Medal and Service Cross, and Senate Bill 553, relating to filing deadlines for independent candidates in municipal elections, will lie over for one day and will remain on third reading. Also on third reading, Senate Bill 317, which relates to municipal firearm laws and Senate Bill 552, which would increase penalties for transporting illegal controlled substances into the state, were moved to the foot of the calendar and will be taken up when the Senate reconvenes this afternoon.

There were 26 bills and one joint resolution read for a second time today. Senate Joint Resolution 12 proposes the constitutional amendment Claiming WV Water Resources for Use and Benefit of its Citizens Amendment. One of the bills advanced to third reading was Senate Bill 409, which relates to education reform. Another bill advanced to third reading was Senate Bill 455, which would create the Move to Improve Act.

Senate Bill 592, which would make it a felony to knowingly leave the scene of a crash that caused bodily injury, was read a first time prior to its second committee reference to the Judiciary Committee.

The following committees will meet today:

Banking and Insurance will meet at 2 p.m. in room 208W

Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in room 451M

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in room 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Interstate Cooperation will meet at 9 a.m. in room 208W

Military will meet at 10 a.m. in room 208W

Transportation and Infrastructure will meet at 10 a.m. in room 451M

The Senate is in recess until 4:30 p.m.

-UPDATE-

The Senate reconvened this evening to receive committee reports and read 10 bills a first time. Senate Bill 317 and Senate Bill 552, both on third reading, were lied over one day.

The following committee will meet tomorrow:

Finance will meet at 9:30 a.m. in room 451M

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Friday, February 21, 2014 - 03:16 PM

House Passes Valued Employee Retention Program

The House convened today to pass seven bills, including House Bill 4409, which would create the Valued Employee Retention Program. This would establish a plan where workers' hours would be reduced in lieu of laying off employees.

House Bill 3108 was another bill among the seven passed, which would implement a background check for obtain licensure and work in a nursing home. House Bill 4318 was passed as well, which would continue education on veterans' mental health.

There were 18 bills on second reading. House Bills 4001, 4245 and 4256 had their first readings.

Citations were presented recognizing Higher Education Day, the Herbert Hoover High School baseball team and the Roane County High School golf team.

The House reconvened this evening to receive committee reports and messages from the Senate. Senate Bill 603, relating to testing for the presence of methane in underground mines, had its first reading. House Bill 4286 had its first reading and was recommitted to House Finance. This bill would create the Captive Cervid Farming Act.

The West Virginia Future Fund, or Senate Bill 461, was passed unanimously on third reading today. The West Virginia Future Fund would set aside a percentage of tax revenue from the oil and gas industry until 2020 to allow the fund to generate interest. The fund would be used towards economic development and infrastructure projects as well as education.

Another bill that passed was Senate Bill 252, which would allow certain expelled students to return to school through the Juvenile Drug Court. Senate Bill 603 also passed and relates to testing underground mines for the presence of methane. All bills passed on third reading unanimously and now move to the House for further consideration.

Of the bills on second reading, Senate Bill 535 would clarify the definition of ginseng. During committee reports six bills were read for a first time.

The House of Delegates convened today to pass eight bills, including House Bill 4257, which would provide criminal penalties for spreading false, misleading or deceptive information through automated telephone calls during a state of emergency. House Bill 4431 was passed as well, which would clarify that someone possessing firearms, hunting dogs or other indications of hunting do not necessarily need to have a hunting license.

Senate Bill 402 completed legislation, permitting the recovery of service charges and fees charged to the Tax Commissioner by financial institutions.

Seven bills were on second reading. Sixteen bills on first reading.

Citations were presented recognizing the West Virginia Federation of Democratic Women, Harrison County Day, Rebound Physical Therapy and Sports Performance, and Home School Day.

Two bills completed legislation in the Senate today. The House passed Senate Bill 443 and Senate Bill 444, which both relating to retirement, with changes to the bills' effective dates and were sent back to the Senate for approval. The changed to the bill were adopted and the bills now move to Governor Tomblin for signature.

Nine bills that passed in the House were introduced in the Senate for further consideration. House Bill 4359, which relates to the licensing of managing general agents of insurers, was read a first time and is on second reading. House Bill 4372, which permits the Commissioner of Financial Institutions to require filing of reports, data or information directly with the Division of Financial Institutions.

On Committee reports Senate Bill 204, relating to victim compensation, was read a first time prior to its second committee reference to the Finance Committee.

All 20 bills on second reading were advanced to third reading with three of the bills being amended. Senate Bill 252, which relates to Juvenile Drug Court, Senate Bill 456, which relates to healthcare provider tax, and Senate Bill 558, which relates to claims against the state, were all amended on the floor and moved to third reading.

The following committees will meet today:

Health and Human Resources will meet at 1 p.m. in room 451M

Education will meet at 2 p.m. in room 451M

Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in room 451M

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in room 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Water Resources will meet at 10 a.m. in room 208W

The Senate is in recess until 4:30 p.m.

-UPDATE-

The Senate reconvened this evening to receive petitions and committee reports. They also read three bills and one Senate Joint Resolution a first time prior to their second committee references.

Bills that were read a first time included Senate Bill 539, which would permit certain law-enforcement officers employed as school security to carry firearms.

The House of Delegates convened today at 11 a.m. today to pass several bills relating to retirement. House Bill 4365, relating to employer remittance and reporting of Teachers Retirement System member contributions to the retirement board. Senate Bills 443, 444, and 452 completed legislation. Senate Bill 443 relates to the State Police Retirement System, 444 relates to the Public Employees Retirement System, and 452 relates to the Teachers Retirement System annuity calculation for members with reciprocal service credit.

An additional eight bills were passed, including House Bill 4384, which would require teachers of students with exceptional needs to be present at an individualized education program meeting or read and sign a copy of the individualized education program plan.

The West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind attended the session to perform songs for the House. House Concurrent Resolution 92 was passed, requesting that the West Virginia School Building Authority waive local matching requirements and fund all needed improvements for the school.

Eight bills were on second reading and nine bills were on first reading.

Citations were presented, recognizing West Virginia KIDS Cancer Crusaders, Visibility Advocacy day and the Clay-Battelle High School cheerleaders.

The following committees will meet today:

House Industry and Labor at 2 p.m. in 410M

House Political Subdivisions at 2 p.m. in 215E

House Roads and Transportation at 3 p.m. in 460M

House Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at 3 p.m. in 215E

The West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind performed a rendition of "Country Roads" and two other songs for the Senate today.

The Senate recognized the Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Plunge Club upon the adoption of Senate Resolution 34. Disability Advocacy Day was also recognized by the Senate upon the adoption of Senate Resolution 35.

Upon being reported from committee, four bills were read a first time prior to second committee reference. One of those bills, Senate Bill 610, would require insurance providers to cover costs of non-narcotic pain relief treatment systems. Additionally, 21 bills were read a first time and advanced to second reading.

All eight bills that were read a third time were passed and move to the House for further consideration. Senate Bill 376, one of the bills passed, would require certain construction workers to complete OSHA safety program.

The following committees will meet today:

Economic Development will meet at 1 p.m. in room 451M

Natural Resources will meet at 2 p.m. in room 451M

Finance will meet at 3 p.m. in room 451M

Judiciary will meet at 3 p.m. in room 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

Finance will meet at 10 a.m. in room 451M

Judiciary will meet at 10 a.m. in room 208W

Transportation and Infrastructure will meet at 10:30 a.m. in room 208W

The Senate is in recess until 4:30 p.m.

*UPDATE:

The Senate reconvened this afternoon to receieve committee reports and to read nine bills a first time prior to their second committee reference. The Senate also read Senate Joint Resolution 12 a first time prior to it's second reference to the Finance Comittee.

Senate Bill 6 was passed 25-10 vote in the Senate. The bill would require a prescription for medications that contain drugs used in the production of methamphetamine. Before passage, two amendments to the bill were adopted.

The Senate reconvened at 5 p.m. to receive committee reports and to read six bills a first time prior to their second committee reference. The Senate also adopted six Senate Concurrent Resolutions and four House Concurrent Resolutions.

The House of Delegates convened at 11 a.m. today to pass House Bill 4302. This bill would allow the use of county election officials to conduct elections and designate the county commission as the board of canvassers to canvass the returns of all elections for public school purposes.

There were 12 bills on second reading. Nine bills were on first reading.

Citations were presented recognizing West Virginia State University, the Robert C. Byrd High School cheerleading team, the Girl Scouts of America, and the Linsly School.

Students from the Governor's Honors Academy and the Governor's School for the Arts spoke on their time in the programs.

The following committees will meet today:

House Judiciary at 1:30 p.m. in 410M

House Finance at 2:15 p.m. in 460M

House Education at 3:30 p.m. in 434M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

House Agriculture and Natural Resources at 9 a.m. in 215E

House Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security at 9 a.m. in 460M

House Banking and Insurance at 10 a.m. in 215E

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Monday, February 17, 2014 - 04:56 PM

House Passes Bill Permitting Firearms in Vehicles on Capitol Grounds

The House convened at 1 p.m. today to pass 10 bills, including House Bill 4309. This bill would permit a person to keep a firearm in his or her vehicle on State Capitol Complex grounds if the firearm is out of normal view. House Bill 4454 was amended and passed, allowing alcohol to be sold on Sundays beginning at 10:30 a.m. and requiring bars to stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m.

There were 60 bill introductions today, as this is the last day for bill introductions, excluding supplementary and originating bills. House Bill 4572 would create the Citizen Enforcement of Clean Water Act, allowing citizens to sue or intervene on actions by the state. House Bill 4612 would ensure that recess periods or other times for physical activity during a school day may not be reduced in attempts to make up for snow or state of emergency days.

Veterans Visibility Day was recognized by the Senate upon adoption of Senate Resolution 31. Among the veterans there to accept the resolution, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient was in attendance. Woody Williams is one of eight living medal of honor recipients from World War II.

The Senate passed seven bills on third reading. Of the bills passed, Senate Bills 420 would add the Bureau for Children and Families, Workforce West Virginia and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to the state data sharing compact. Senate Bill 422, which would have extended in-state tuition to students seeking higher educaiton programs not offered within the state of West Virginia was rejected on a tie vote.

The House convened at 10 a.m. today to pass the House Bill 4343, the West Virginia Project Launchpad Act. This bill would have the Governor create "Launchpads" and provide economic benefits for businesses locating or expanding in these areas.

An additional six bills were passed, including House Bill 4301, which would allow the reciprocal use of hunting and fishing licensees with Kentucky on the Big Sandy and Tug Fork Rivers.

The House passed 12 other bills as well. House Bill 4527 would create monitoring and testing requirements for public water utilities. House Bill 4554 would adjust the penalties for willful failure to pay child support.

Ten bills had their second reading.

Citations were presented for Correction's Day and to the IHRA's 2013 Sportsman of the Year, Greg Fowler.

The Senate passed six bills that will now move to the House for further consideration. Senate Bill 307 would authorize pretrial release programs to evaluate and supervise people on pretrial release. Senate Bill 327 would update and redefine terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act. Senate Bill 453, relating Teachers Retirement System, was re-referred on third reading to the Finance Committee.

The House convened at 11 a.m. today to pass three bills, including House Bill 4237. This bill would prohibit the sale, distribution and use of electronic cigarettes, vapor products and alternative tobacco products to those under the age of 18. House Bill 4412 passed as well, which would allow the a one-day license to sell nonintoxicating beer and wine at charitable events.

House Bill 4510 was among the 36 bills introduced today. This bill would create a bill of rights for children in foster care. Another piece of legislation introduced was House Bill 4522, which would implement drug testing for recipients of federal-state and state assistance.

Twelve bills had their second reading. Eleven bills had their first reading.

A citation was present recognizing the 25th anniversary of the "Doc for a Day Program."

The House convened at 11 a.m. today to pass House Bill 4283, which would raise the minimum wage. After January 1, 2015, the minimum wage would be $8.00 per hour and after January 1, 2016, it would be $8.75 per hour.

Additionally, three other bills were passed. House Bill 4208 adds several synthetic hallucinogens to the list of scheduled drugs. House Bill 4414 would strengthen the prohibition of candidates soliciting public employees. House Bill 4421 would allow lottery winnings to be transferred by an electronic funds transfer. These bills will be communicated to the Senate for their consideration.

The House introduced 13 bills today, including House Bill 4478, which would require a certificate of insurance to be in effect throughout the entire vehicle registration period. House Bill 4486 was passed as well, which would require a prescription to dispense drugs that can be used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

House Concurrent Resolution 87 was adopted today. This concurrent resolution would name a bridge after Army Sgt. Everett Wayne "Bud" Sell in honor of him dislodging the turret to prevent further damage to his plane. Sell was lost August 23, 1944 and has yet to be found.

House Bills 4154, 4237 and 4412 had their second readings. Nine bills had their first reading.

Citations were also presented recognizing Marshall University and Women's Day at the Legislature.

The Senate introduced 19 bills, Senate Bill 541 through Senate Bill 559 and passed three bills on third reading. Of the bills introduced, Senate Bill 542 would require the notification of any fluids or chemicals released into ground water, surface water or subsurface soils, to the Department of Protection. Senate Bill 549 relates to child support obligations and orders.

The House of Delegates convened at 11 a.m. today to introduce 21 bills.

Among the bills introduced was House Bill 4456, which would raise the consumer sales tax by one percent for the next four years. House Bill 4472 was introduced as well, which would make it a felony to attempt to enforce a federal or local statute, ordiance, law order, or rule about firearms, accessories, ammunition, and their accouterments if it violates state and federal constitutions.

The House of Delegates convened at 11 a.m. today to pass three bills, including House Bill 4214. This bill would require the chief medical officer of a mental health facility to help identify and designate a person as durable medical power of attorney for a stable, discharged patient.

House Bill 4336, relating to state control of county schools, also passed. House Bill 4278 passed as well, which would rewrite the procedure by which corporations obtain authorization from the West Virginia Board of Medicine to practice medicine and surgery.

There were nine bills introduced today. Among those introduced was House Bill 4453, which would make Supplemental Security Income exempt from being considered income for child support. House Bill 4455 was also introduced, which would permit the sale of alcohol on Sundays beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Two bills were passed on third reading, Senate Bill 426 and Senate Bill 470. Senate Bill 426 relates to the appointments to higher education commissions, councils and boards. Senate Bill 470 would make completed grand jury questionnaries confidential. Both bills now move to the House for further consideration. Senate Bill 450, which relates to alcoholic liquors sale and consumption in outdoor dining areas, was laid over for one day.

The three bills on second reading were moved to third reading. Three bills were moved from first reading to second reading, Senate Bill 515 was referenced to the Senate Finance Committee on first reading.

There were three bills read on second reading today, House Bill 4214, House Bill 4278 and House Bill 4336. House Bill 4214 would require the mental health facility, from which a patient is discharged, to offer assistance in designating an appropriate person to serve as the patient's medical power of attorney.

The Senate convened at 10 a.m. today to pass two bills, including Senate Bill 336. This bill would provide emergency serivce personnel with Naloxone and allow them to administer it to those suspected of a narcotic overdose.

Senate Bill 397 passed as well, which expands on what is considering financial exploitation of the elderly.

Additionally, seven bills were introduced today. One of the pieces of legislation introduced today was Senate Bill 514, which would eliminate the expense of meth lab cleanup from the Crime Victims Compensation Act.

Senate Bills 426, 450 and 470 had had their second readings today. Senate Bills 90, 403 and 454 had their first readings.

Marshall Amores spoke on behalf of the Frasure-Singleton Internship. Interns were assigned to assist legislators for one week, attending committee meetings, public hearings and daily floor sessions.

There were three bills that were read on first reading and two bills that were reading on 2nd reading. One bill on first reading was House Bill 4214, which would give people discharged from mental health facilities help in finding an appropriate medical power of attorney.

The House gave citations to the School of Osteopathic Medicine, the Sissonville Girls Soccer Team and Cooper Blair; a 10-year-old boy with prosthetic legs who won Gold Medals in four events at the Endeavour Games.

The following committees will meet today:

House Finance will meet at 1 p.m. in room 215E

House Judiciary will meet at 1:30 p.m. in room 410M

House Education will meet at 2 p.m. in room 434M

House Government Organization will meet at 2 p.m. in room 215E

House Health and Human Resources will meet at 4 p.m. in room 215E

House Political Subdivisions will hold a public hearing on House Bill 4007 at 5:30 in the House Chamber

The Senate convened at 11 a.m. today to introduce 10 bills and pass one piece of legislation.

Among the bills introduced today was Senate Bill 498, which would permit a person to possess firearms, except for shotguns and rifles, in a vehicle or conveyance without having a concealed deadly weapons permit.

Senate Bill 353 was passed, which would provide the Division of Forestry with the authority to investigate and enforce timber theft violations in state forests.

The Senate approved Senate Resolution 18, recognizing the Community Development Hub's Communities of Achievement Program. Senate Resolutions 19 and 20 were approved as well, recognizing organ procurement organizations and the School of Osteopathic Medicine, respectively.

Senate Bills 336 and 397 had their second readings. Senate Bills 426, 450 and 470 had their first readings.

The House gave five citations. One of the citations given recognized the importance of organ donation.

With the Governor's approval, Senate Bill 346 has passed all legislation. Senate Bill 32, 165, 257, 314, 325, 380, 408 and 415 were all introduced in the House and were referred to the appropriate committees. Senate Bill 408 is relating to the powers and duties of the Parole Board including the elegibility of parole, procedures of granting parole and timely parole hearings.

Senate Bill 341, which would make a supplementary appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Resources from the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund, passed and is now sent to the Governor's Office for approval. The House passed three other bills, House Bill 4196, 4236 and 4284. House Bill 4284 would protect pregnant women in the workforce and allow them to require certain accomodations because of a medical condition.

The Senate convened at 11 a.m. today to recognize Social Worker's Day, Preston County Day and the Pinnacle Blue Mine Rescue Team.

Senate Resolutions 15 and 16 were approved, recognizing today as Social Worker's Day and Preston County Day, respectively. Senate Resolution 17 recognized the Pinnacle Blue Mine Rescue Team for their performance in the National Coal Mine Rescue Competition.

The Senate passed five bills today, including Senate Bill 387, which clarifies that officer have legal custody of their prisoners when in West Virginia. Senate Bill 395, relating to the operation and oversight of certain human services benefit programs, passed today as well.

Other bills passed were Senate Bill 357 and House Bills 4177 and 4182. Senate Bills 387, 395 and 357 will be communicated to the House of Delegates for their approval. House Bills 4177 and 4182 have completed legislation and will be sent to the governor.

There were also 12 bills introduced.

Among the bills introduced today was Senate Bill 493, which would exclude days a student was suspended when determining truancy. Senate Bill 497 was introduced as well, which would remove restrictions as to where certain lottery games are permitted to be played.

Today, The Pikeview Boys Soccer Team and the Leadership Jefferson program were both honored and awarded with citations from the House.

The House introduced five House Concurrent Resolutions today and adopted seven House Concurrent Resolutions that now move to the Senate for further consideration. If adopted by the Senate, House Concurrent Resolution 40 would make "Take Me Home Country Roads" by John Denver the fourth state song along with "The West Virginia Hills," "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home," and "This Is My West Virginia."

The House passed four bills on third reading, House Bills 4147, 4186, 4287 and 4332, that now move to the Senate for further consideration. House Bill 4186 would add provisions to the current procedures for qualifying and receiving a concealed weapons license.

The following committees will meet today:

House Judiciary will meet at 1:45 p.m. in room 410M

House Education will meet at 2 p.m. in room 434M

House Finance will meet at 2 p.m. and will hold a public hearing in the House Chamber at 4 p.m.

House Government Organization will meet at 2 p.m. in room 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:

House Agriculture and Natural Resources will meet at 9 a.m. in room 215E

Senate Bill 257, relating to a landowner's liability for harm to trespassers, was among the bills passed. Senate Bill 408 was passed as well, which would entitle inmates in the custody of the commissioner to a timely parole hearing without regard to location.

Senate Bills 32, 165, 314, 325, 380, and 415 were also passed. They will communicated to the House of Delegates for their consideration.

Seven bills were introduced. Senate Bill 479 would provide vocational certification, licensure or college credit for military training and experience. Another bill introduced was Senate Bill 482, which would require food handling examinations and cards.

Bills on their second reading today were Senate Bills 341, 357, 387, and 395, as well as House Bills 4177 and 4182. Senate Bill 353 had its first reading.

The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 13, designating Randolph County Day, and passed four bills during an afternoon floor session on Monday.

Among the bills that passed today, Senate Bill 381 would require CPR and Heimlich manuevuer instructions in public schools and Senate Bill 405 would require a presiding judge's permission to release juror qualification forms after a trial's conclusion. Senate Bills 267, ensuring that state courts have jurisdiction of fraudulent or unauthorized purchasing card use and 435, correcting a code reference relating to handgun safety training for certain court personnel, also moved on to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate read eight bills a second time, including Senate Bill 325, which provides that the state Fire Marshal serve at will and pleasure of Fire Commission. Senate Bills 357, 387, and 395 along with House Bills 4177 and 4182 were read a first time.

The House of Delegates convened at 1 p.m. today to adopt House Resolution 8 in memorialize the life of the Honorable Ruth Stafford Goldsmith.

Goldsmith served as a delegate representing Kanawha County in 1980 and 1990 and served on South Charleston City Council. She spent much of her time as a community advocate and a public servant.

The House introduced seven new bills as well. House Bill 4388 would prohibit legislators from certain political fundraising activities for specified times before, during and after the Legislature is in session. House Bill 4390 relates to developing education standards and privacy for student's and teacher's information.